THE CLIMATIC FEASIBILITY OF SAFFRON CULTIVATION IN SOUTHERN PART OF SABZEVAR

Abstract

The correlation coefficient of climatic factors necessary for cultivation of saffron between Sabzevar <br />stations and those of southem parts of Khorasan is strong. In October, no frost can be seen in Sabzevar, but it <br />can be seen in other stations. <br />This study showed that there was no difference in viewpoints of climatic factors in cultivation stations in both <br />areas. Comparing the correlation coefficient of climatic factors in southem and central parts of Khorasan with <br />Sabzevar ones, it can be said that cultivation of saffron in Sabzevar is possible. <br />In all studied stations, all calculation factors showed high correlation coefficient (over 90%) showing <br />temperature similarities in these areas with Sabzevar. Regarding to all studied climatic parameters, the highest <br />correlation coefficient was related to the mean maximum temperature and the least was related to the absolute <br />maximum temperature. Due to the high temperature in Sabzevar during the reproductive stage (phenology), <br />the qualitative and quantitative of product is lower than product produced in southem parts of Khorasan. In <br />Sabzevar, It is necessary for saffron to spent 25 days in order to receive daily energy.